Chapter 9

SABINA

Aboloft’s words kept ringing in my ears. Days had passed, but they were as loud as if he was whispering them right next to me.

Even though it had been a while since he’d spoken those words, they still hit me like a punch to the gut.

He wanted me to need him. Aboloft might have told King Bancroft that he was happy I was temporarily handicapped. But I could tell there was more to his words, a hidden meaning, one he wanted only me to understand.

Knowing what he expected of me, I couldn’t stop the shivers of fear that ran through me every time I saw him, even though it had been quite some time since I had been in the infirmary.

For the first three days, King Aboloft didn’t leave the infirmary. He stayed by my side, sometimes pacing, sometimes sitting on the center bed.

Aboloft watched the doctor who came to change my bandages like a hawk, and the rest of the time he spent feeding me and talking to King Bancroft.

The following days, he visited me at least eight times a day and stayed with me for at least an hour. And he made me talk to him, even though I didn’t want to.

Now, after eleven days, I was back in my cell. King Aboloft had been kind enough to let me bathe, and I was so thankful. He had no idea how much I longed for the cool, refreshing water.

I didn’t want to leave the private pool, but I had to, because the seven maids watching me were getting impatient. But I didn’t care about the lack of privacy, I was just happy to bathe in clean water.

Now that I was back in my cell, I wondered if Aboloft would visit me. I hoped he wouldn’t.

I couldn’t handle his intense emotions and reactions, and the thought of my upcoming punishments made tears of fear well up in my eyes.

What would Aboloft do to me? Would my next punishment be as terrible as the first one? Would he torture me physically or mentally?

I looked down at my injured hands, a single tear slipping down my cheek as I looked at the many cuts on my palms.

There was no blood flowing anymore, but the scars were there, a physical reminder of what Aboloft had done to me. These would fade soon enough, I was sure, but the scars he left on my soul would never disappear.

They would always be there, and would sometimes bleed, a new set of scars added to my old ones. How many more would there be?

When the door to my cell opened, I jumped in surprise. Was the maid here with food for me? I really hoped so. I was starving.

Even though I knew I would be given bread for lunch, my stomach growled at the thought of food. I had been given fruit and chicken when I was in the infirmary, but I would eat whatever I was given.

As a slave, I didn’t have the freedom to choose my food, or anything else, for that matter.

But when King Bancroft walked into my cell, my eyes widened. I quickly composed myself and immediately knelt in front of him, keeping my eyes down.

No one had told me that the King of Sodora was coming to see me. And where was Aboloft? Why wasn’t he here with his friend?

“My Lord,” I said, not daring to look up at him. Bancroft’s visit confused me. Why was he here? Did he come to punish me for hurting his friend?

Yes, that must be why he was here. He wanted to hurt me. Bancroft was here for revenge. He was here to give me new scars.

Was he so heartless that he would hurt me and give me new scars before the old ones had even healed? Weren’t slaves considered human?

I braced myself for a slap from King Bancroft, much like the one Aboloft gave me when he first visited me.

I expected him to spit on me. I expected abuse, both physical and verbal. But I never expected the King of Sodora to do what he did next.

King Bancroft gently grabbed my arms and slowly helped me to stand. My shock deepened when he tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear.

I quickly looked down when I realized that I, a slave, was openly staring at the king.

“A queen never kneels,” Bancroft said softly.

What was he talking about? I knew a queen never knelt, but why was he telling me that? Was he pointing out the difference between a queen and a slave?

“Forgive me, my lord, but I don’t understand what you mean,” I replied, not daring to look up at him.

“I’m only speaking the truth, Sabina,” King Bancroft said.

His cryptic words only added to my confusion. First, he talked about a queen and now he was saying he was an honest man. Bancroft was strange. I wondered how he and Aboloft became friends.

“My lord…,” I began, but he interrupted me.

“How are you feeling? How are your hands and legs?” Bancroft asked, gently taking my hands in his and turning them over to look at my palms, which were covered in cuts.

“I’m okay, my lord. Thank you,” I told him. His kindness surprised me. I was so used to people yelling at me and abusing me that a little bit of kindness brought tears to my eyes.

The small things that the guards did for me when they were taking me to the dungeon.

The maids bringing me food three times a day.

The doctor who took care of my wounds.

Aboloft feeding me and looking after me even though he was the one who hurt me.

And Bancroft, who was asking me how I was doing. All the things that the people of Wilsden didn’t do.

“Have you eaten lunch yet?” the King of Sodora asked.

Not knowing what to say, I stayed silent. I had no right to ask for food. And I was Aboloft’s slave. I only answered to him, not Bancroft.

And it was Aboloft’s decision whether he wanted to feed me or not. I wouldn’t say anything to Bancroft.

“Talk to me,” he urged gently, his grip on my hands unyielding.

“I can’t answer that, sir.” The words slipped out, a lie I didn’t understand.

Maybe I was scared that if I admitted to King Bancroft that I hadn’t eaten, he’d complain to Aboloft, and then the King of Quopia would be upset. Or maybe I was just being foolish.

“You can, Sabina. You’re Aboloft’s servant, not mine,” he said softly.

“But I’m beneath you, sir,” I countered.

“A queen is never beneath a king. In fact, a queen is the reason a king remains in power,” Bancroft declared.

Taking a deep breath, I decided to voice the question that had been nagging at me since he began speaking.

“Sir, if I may, can I ask you something?” I ventured.

“Absolutely,” he responded.

“Sir, I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why are you talking about a queen? Why do you keep mentioning a queen and king?”

If he slapped me for my audacity, I’d deserve it. A servant should never dare to ask such questions.

“The answers to your questions will come in due time. I can’t give you what you’re looking for, because it will find you when the time is right,” Bancroft replied, leaving me with more questions than answers.

“Sir, I’m sorry, but I don’t understand,” I admitted, feeling foolish. If I were smarter, I would’ve grasped what Bancroft was trying to say.

“You will soon, don’t worry. Right now, you have more pressing matters to concern yourself with. You have many challenges to face before you find the answers you’re seeking.”

Was King Bancroft a fortune teller? He spoke as if he’d glimpsed the future and knew all the trials I was destined to face.

Would it be wrong to ask him if Aboloft would ever forgive me? I didn’t want to face any more challenges. I just wanted peace. Happiness.

“What kind of pressing matters, sir?” I asked.

Bancroft laughed, a sound so sweet it reminded me of how Aboloft used to laugh when I did something amusing. I missed his smile, his laughter, the spark of joy in his captivating eyes.

~“The water’s beautiful, isn’t it?” I said to Aboloft as we both admired the shimmering lake. The breeze was creating gentle ripples on the surface.~

~“Yeah, it is. But you know what’s even better?” Aboloft asked, grinning from ear to ear.~

~I frowned. “No, what?” I looked at him, waiting for his answer.~

~“Pushing you in,” he said, and with a strong shove, I was tumbling into the chilly lake water.~

~I quickly surfaced, glaring at my best friend, who was doubled over with laughter.~

~“That wasn’t nice!” I wanted to yell, but didn’t want to draw attention to us. If anyone saw us together, they’d tell my father, and he’d be furious. But I still tried to convey my displeasure to Aboloft.~

~Aboloft didn’t respond. He just kept laughing, rolling on the grass. His laughter coaxed a reluctant smile onto my face. Damn him, but his laughter was beautiful.~

~And even though he was laughing at my expense, I was glad he was laughing. I loved making my best friend smile or laugh, even if it was at my expense.~

~But once he’d gotten his laughter under control and looked at me, I resumed my frown. I wanted him to know I didn’t appreciate his prank, and maybe he’d think twice before doing it again.~

~“I’m not talking to you,” I declared, heading to the other side of the lake, away from Aboloft.~

~As soon as I pulled myself onto dry land, I heard a splash. I turned to see Aboloft swimming toward me. He emerged from the water and came to sit next to me.~

~“Sorry, Bluebell,” Aboloft murmured, planting a kiss on my cheek. We were both soaking wet, but neither of us cared.~

~“Don’t do that,” I scolded. He was so reckless, showing affection in public. If only he knew the rumors people spread.~

~Without a word, Aboloft got up and walked away. Confused, I watched him go, only to see him return with his hand hidden behind his back.~

~Once he was seated next to me again, he revealed what he’d been hiding. He held out five bluebells, each one fresh and beautiful.~

~“These are for you,” Aboloft said, offering me the flowers.~

~“You shouldn’t have,” I told him, but accepted the flowers anyway.~

~He wrapped his arm around my shoulders and pulled me closer. “Anything to make you forgive me.”~

~I giggled. “I wasn’t mad, silly.”~

~Aboloft let out a sigh of relief. “Oh, good, because I didn’t like it. I hate it when you’re mad at me, Bluebell. It’s the worst thing ever.”~

~“Well, then you have nothing to worry about. Because I can never stay mad at you. And just so you know, I don’t like it when you’re mad at me either,” I told him.~

~“Good.” Aboloft kissed my forehead. We spent the rest of the time sitting under the sun, waiting for our clothes and hair to dry.~

“Sabina,” King Bancroft called out to me.

I blinked, shaking off the memories that were sprouting like mushrooms in my mind.

“I’m so sorry, sir. Please forgive me,” I mumbled.

“Don’t apologize, Sabina,” he replied.

“Of course, sir. I’m sorry, but what were you saying just now?” I asked.

“I was answering your question,” he responded.

“Which question are you referring to, my lord?” I asked, unsure of what he was about to answer.

“You asked about the trials you’ll face. I was about to answer that,” Bancroft clarified.

“Forgive me, my lord, but could you please repeat your answer?” I asked, even though I was scared. He was being kind, but he was still a king. I had to be careful with my words. One wrong move could mean my death.

“Maybe you could answer her questions later, after I’ve had my time with her?” A new voice interrupted us. I turned to see Aboloft, his face twisted in anger.

Bancroft smiled, turning to his friend. I watched them both, fear and anxiety mixing in my gut.

“Aboloft, I thought you weren’t coming until later,” Bancroft said.

“I can visit her whenever I want,” Aboloft snapped back, making my heart pound with fear.

“Of course, she is yours after all,” Bancroft agreed.

“Yes, she is. All mine. And I’m not letting her go.” Aboloft’s eyes softened as he spoke.

“Since you’re here, I assume you want me to leave,” Bancroft said, a silent understanding passing between the two kings.

“Yes, I do,” Aboloft confirmed.

“Alright then.” Bancroft turned back to me. “Take care, Sabina. I’ll visit soon.”

With that, Bancroft left my cell, the guards trailing behind him. It was just me and King Aboloft now.